You are here

Mix museum opens for summer

The Tom Mix Museum in Dewey has returned to full schedule. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The museum, located at 721 N. Delaware, was founded in 1968 and features the personal western memorabilia collection of the legendary screen star, Tom Mix.

Tom Mix was Hollywood’s first Western megastar, appearing in more than 300 films between 1910 and 1935, all but nine of which were silent features. Millions of children grew up watching his films on Saturday afternoons. Heroes and villains were clearly defined and Tom, a “clean-cut” cowboy, always saved the day with his wonder horse, Tony.

What many people don’t know is the close connection of Tom Mix to Oklahoma and this local area.

In 1902 Mix moved to Guthrie and worked at odd jobs, including bartending. In 1904 he worked at Zack Mulhall’s ranch and in 1905 he was hired by the Miller Brothers and their famous 101 Ranch in Bliss (Marland). By 1907 he was a featured performer at the 101 Wild West Show.

In 1909 he married his third wife, Olive Stokes, a Dewey girl that grew up on her family’s ranch west of town. … Stokes was a rodeo cowgirl and later acted in many of Mix’s early silent films. Together they formed their own Wild West Show and performed in Seattle.

In 1910 Mix returned to the 101 and in 1911 he temporarily became the town marshal in Dewey before going to Canon City, Colo., to make westerns for Selig. His daughter, Ruth Mix, was born in 1912. Ruth would later co-star with him in the Tom Mix Circus.

Mix was helpful in bringing the silver screen to Oklahoma and one of his silents was filmed around Blue Mound. Mix worked for many famous studios including Selig Polyscope Company, Fox Film Corporation and Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.’s FBO Studios. In 1931 Mix signed up with Universal Studios for his first sound films.

The Tom Mix collection at the Dewey Museum features many of Mix’s guns, hats, clothing and spurs. A full size replica of Tony is featured displaying a silver encrusted Bolin saddle. Other exhibits showing memorabilia from his movie and circus careers are displayed as well as a movie theatre where visitors can view a film highlighting his life and movies.

The museum has many activities planned for the 2013 season including a book signing by author Richard Douglas Jensen, from 1 to 3 p.m. March 16. Jensen will introduce his newest book, “Tom Mix, Cowboy King of Hollywood.”

In May, local authors Bill Alexander and Debbie Neece will be available for signing their book on the Dewey Roundup.

The museum will celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy on July 27 with tributes to local cowboys.

The Tom Mix Festival and Western Heritage Weekend will be Sept. 28 and 29. Tom Mix’s 1939 Cord will make a repeat performance at that event.

Admission to the museum is $3 for adults and admission to the gift shop area is free of charge. The museum gift shop features many books on Western history, jewelry and Tom Mix collectibles.